WJEC GCSE Physical Education (Wales): complete guide to Unit 1, the non-exam assessment and the exam

WJEC GCSE Physical Education is a single GCSE for learners in Wales, graded A* to G. It is a linear course assessed by one written unit covering the theory and a non-exam assessment covering the practical. This page is the index: below is a map of the five theory areas, the exam and non-exam structure, and how to study each topic.

The written theory: Unit 1

All of the theory is examined in Unit 1 (Introduction to physical education). On this site the content is grouped into five study modules, each with an overview guide that links to a focused answer page for every examinable topic.

Health, training and exercise

Health, fitness and well-being, a sedentary lifestyle and diet, the components of fitness, fitness testing, the principles and methods of training, training zones and heart rate, and the warm-up and cool-down. Start with the Health, training and exercise overview.

Exercise physiology

The skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, and the short and long-term effects of exercise. Start with the Exercise physiology overview.

Movement analysis

Lever systems, the planes and axes of movement, and the use of sports technology in performance and officiating. Start with the Movement analysis overview.

Psychology of sport

Skill classification, goal setting and SMART targets, information processing, the stages of learning and types of practice, guidance and feedback, and mental preparation and motivation. Start with the Psychology of sport overview.

Socio-cultural issues

Participation in physical activity, provision and target groups, commercialisation and the media, and ethics in sport. Start with the Socio-cultural issues overview.

Exam and assessment structure

WJEC GCSE Physical Education is assessed by one written unit plus a non-exam assessment.

• Unit 1: Introduction to physical education. Written examination, 2 hours, 100 marks, 50% of the qualification. Set using audio-visual stimuli and sources, with short-answer and extended-response questions. This is the unit all the theory above is examined in.
• Unit 2: The active participant in physical education. Non-exam assessment (NEA), 100 marks, 50% of the qualification. Practical performance in three activities (at least one team and one individual) plus a personal fitness programme of at least eight weeks. Internally assessed and externally moderated.

The practical and personal fitness programme (overview only)

The practical performance and the personal fitness programme are assessed in your centre, not in the written exam, so they are covered here as an overview only.

• Practical performance. You are assessed in three activities (at least one team and one individual) from WJEC's approved list, judged on your skills, decision making, tactics and physical attributes in a fully competitive situation.
• Personal fitness programme. Linked to your major activity and lasting a minimum of eight weeks, you plan, carry out and evaluate a training programme, collecting and analysing your own data and applying the theory from Unit 1 (components of fitness, methods and principles of training, SMART goals and fitness testing).

To prepare, choose activities you perform well, learn the assessment criteria for each, and use the theory from the health, training and exercise area to build and evaluate your fitness programme.

Assessment objectives

The four assessment objectives shape how marks are awarded:

• AO1 (knowledge and understanding): 20% - recalling facts and definitions.
• AO2 (application of knowledge): 20% - applying knowledge to a sporting situation.
• AO3 (analysis and evaluation): 15% - analysing and evaluating, with judgements.
• AO4 (practical performance and the personal fitness programme): 45% - the non-exam assessment.

The written Unit 1 assesses AO1, AO2 and AO3; Unit 2 assesses AO4.

Maths and command words

The written paper includes data and calculations: maximum heart rate (220 minus age) and training zones, cardiac output (heart rate times stroke volume), minute ventilation (tidal volume times breathing rate) and energy balance, plus interpreting data from fitness tests and training. A calculator is allowed.

Learn the command words: Describe (say what happens), Explain (give reasons), Calculate (work out a value), Analyse (break down and examine), Discuss and Evaluate (weigh up both sides and reach a judgement). Matching your answer to the command word is essential for the higher marks.

How to study WJEC GCSE PE

1. Work area by area against the specification. Questions are written from the content statements, so cover each one.
2. Learn definitions precisely. Health, fitness, the components of fitness, the principles of training and the skill classifications are all easy marks if stated exactly.
3. Drill the calculations. Maximum heart rate, training zones, cardiac output, minute ventilation and energy balance all appear.
4. Apply to a performer. The higher marks reward applying knowledge to a named sport or performer, not just recalling it.
5. Use the practical link. The theory underpins your personal fitness programme, so understanding it helps your non-exam assessment too.

For the official specification

WJEC publishes the full specification, past papers and mark schemes at wjec.co.uk. Always revise from the current specification and WJEC's own past papers.